Entry Report Kevin Jacobson Presidio Hill School May

Entry Report Kevin Jacobson Presidio Hill School May 2017

Agenda • Present Entry Process Interviews Ø Summarizing: Interview data Ø Synthesizing: Trends and themes • Share my entry year observations • Charting a course for PHS moving forward • Questions & Answers 2

Head of School Goals for 2016 -2017 1 Provide leadership, vision, and engagement for all PHS constituencies. 1 Reinforce the PHS mission in all aspects of school life. 1 Sustain and begin to enhance the operations of the school. 3

Entry Interview Summary 1. What are 2 -3 core strengths of PHS? 2. What are the top 2 -3 issues/areas for growth facing PHS today and why are they important? 3. What 1 -2 changes are necessary to provide the best education possible? 4. What 1 -2 practices/traditions do we need to preserve at PHS to ensure effectiveness in educating students? 4

What are the core strengths of PHS? What 1 -2 practices/traditions do we need to preserve at PHS to ensure effectiveness in educating students? * Warm, responsive, inclusive, connected community * Size & known-ness * Strength of faculty, strength of teacher-student relationships * Centrality of the Arts * Proximity to outdoor education opportunities * Family involvement * Latitude for teachers to design curriculum * Interweaving of Social-Emotional Learning (non-additive) * Independent, critical, creative thinking is proudly promoted * Balance, youth preserved 5

QUOTES • “There are so many different ways to be popular at PHS. ” (student) • “I love the messy that comes to my dinner table through the critical thinking engagements that my child experiences. ” (parent/guardian) • “Kids are so happy, their minds are constantly active. Adults treat children with dignity and the school doesn’t shy away from challenging topics. The school is play-based and includes rich academic material. ” (teacher) • “It’s the perfect environment for kids to be themselves, make mistakes, advocate, and ask questions. ” (trustee) • “Middle schoolers at PHS stay young in healthy, non-stunted ways. ” (parent/guardian) • “I like that my voice and opinion matter here. ” (teacher)

What are the core challenges/areas of growth for PHS? • Continuity and articulation around curriculum and pedagogy • Student behavior: consistency, flexibility, communication • Mission Clarification: Definitions of and intersections between progressive education and social justice. . . Given our history and identity, what is our position and how do we respond? • Shifting demographics in SF, diversity, walking-the-walk with regard to equity and inclusion • Overload and Fatigue • Strategic Plan, market position, external messaging regarding PHS core identity 7

QUOTES • “PHS is a hidden gem and we need to promote the school better. We should have reunions more frequently. ” (young alumnus) • “As a family, we’re all in and we couldn’t be happier. Our kids couldn’t be more excited. The one thing we mourn is lack of diversity in terms of race and SES. ” (trustee) • “We need to professionalize in key areas so that we are not reliant on parent volunteers. ” (parent) • “We need to be strategic about walking-the-walk that equity is excellence. We need full Board support and education to move forward. ” (teacher) • “TAB out is not enough of a consequence. ” (middle school student) • “Establishing an endowment should be a priority. This would help us be more competitive with financial assistance and really secure our financial future so we can focus on vision and get out of the weeds. ” (trustee)

My Observations

PHS FIELD TRIPS • 1 st grade to Baker Beach, 12: 30 -2: 50 – Taking Presidio. Go shuttle to pick up trash at the beach! • 4 th grade to Institute on Aging, 12: 45 -2: 00 • 3 rd grade to Golden Gate Park, 12: 15 -2: 30 – To meet our Pen Pals from Argonne • 5 th grade to El Polin, 12: 30 -2: 00 • Feli's elective to the local public library • 6 D to Presidio, back in 40 minutes • Science 7 D to Mountain Lake, back by 10: 00 am • 6 D music going to JK Park, 2: 33 -3: 23 • K to SF Zoo via Muni for Wyatt's Zoo Day Celebration

Charting a Course for Our Future

Charting a Course: Priorities Leveraging the Centennial as a basis for a Strategic Plan that provides a vision as we begin our second century: • Re-set our mission and clarify how PHS defines Progressive Education • Improve curricular and programmatic cohesion • Diversify PHS • Establish an endowment and refresh capital priorities • Educate and engage all constituents around equity, justice, and inclusion

Improve curricular cohesion Diversify PHS Leverage the Centennial as a basis for a Strategic Vision Re-set the Mission and define Progressive Education Establish an endowment and refresh capital priorities Educate for equity, social justice, and inclusion

Re-visit progress reports, conferences Write curriculum maps Establish Presidio “Learning Ladders” In MS, link: Advisory, Life Skills, Service Learning, Sexuality Studies Tighten Curricular Cohesion Deepen centrality of the Arts Articulate Media/Tech vision; write scope and sequence Streamline behavioral expectations and Follow Up Re-imagine Follies

Charting a Course for Our Future Already Underway Immediate Next Steps On the Horizon • Lower School Director hired • Programming that thoughtfully connects mission, grades, subjects and benchmarks (e. g. , Art Show) • Naming and clarifying PHS ambiguities • Communications Coordinator position created • Green Dean position created • Increased # of Assistants and Apprentices in the Lower School • Shift in parent-teacher conferences (timelines) • CPE initiatives • Media/Tech Vision Scope & Sequence articulation • Create a plan of action to educate and engage all constituents around equity, justice, and inclusion • Re-Imagine Follies • Learning Center retreat • Centennial Celebrations, Alumni Engagement • Refresh hiring and retention strategies • Develop outreach and enrollment strategy to diversify PHS • (Re) Hire a School Counselor • Create a Faculty Peer Observations program • Write MS curriculum that more tightly links: - Advisory - Life Skills - Health and Human Development - Service Learning

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